My first baptismal commitment!

1/26/15   So this week we had several lessons with Maria, and she has been reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it. She is always so excited to talk with us, so we decided it was time to ask her to be baptized. The lesson before, I asked her to read 3 Nephi 11, which talks about when Jesus visited the Nephites and taught the doctrine of baptism. We planned to talk over and discuss this chapter in our next lesson, and then ask her to be baptized.

The next time we saw her, she had read the whole chapter, and came with questions. That went along perfectly with our plan, so we discussed the important parts of the chapter, and when it came time to ask her if she would be baptized, my companion let me do it. It got quiet, which is rare with her because she talks so much, and I asked if you feel that this is something that you need to do, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized? At first, it seemed like she was avoiding the question, because she went off talking about something completely unrelated like she usually does, but when my companion brought her attention back, she said yes!! We set her date for the 14th of February.

We also asked her if she wanted to come to a baptismal service we were having that night so she could see what it was like, and she was really excited to go. She came, and said she really enjoyed it, but when she saw that you had to put your face under water, she got a little scared. She was laughing as she told us that she has a fear of going under water. She really liked the service though, and seemed really excited when she left.

On Sunday she came to church, and she came early. She was so eager to be there that she went into the chapel and saved us seats. That never happens with investigators! She really enjoyed the meeting, and loves singing hymns. I really am so excited for her. She is such a golden investigator, and I can´t wait to see her baptized.

Other than that, not much happened this week. I got pretty sick on Friday, and had to stay in our apartment all day, but I am feeling much better now. I feel like I am just getting over the hard part of adjusting, and we are starting to find success in the work.  Miss you all so much, and love you tons!

P.S. Keep Maria in your prayers!